SIXTEEN teams, in the Over-40 age group, will be participating in the second annual Tobago Invitational Masters Football Tournament from October 5-7.
The event, organised by SW Touring Team in collaboration with the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), will see the teams vying for a minimum of US$4,000 in cash prizes, trophies and medals.
The matches will take place at both Canaan/Bon Accord and Plymouth Recreation Grounds, with local, regional and international team entering the three-day event, including Georgetown Masters (Guyana), Real Old Men (Grenada), QPR (Grenada) and British Airways Masters (United Kingdom).
There are a few individual trophies on offer — leading goal scorer (golden boot), best goal keeper (golden gloves) and most valuable player (MVP).
Paramount National Unity, featuring ex-national striker Leonson Lewis, defeated Phoenix 1976 Football Club Masters to claim the inaugural title last year.
“This year our goal was to feature increase of numbers from nine to 16 teams with a target of four regional/international, four Tobago-based and eight Trinidad-based teams,” said tournament secretariat Leslieann Jobe-Edwards.
“We have met that quota with teams from other Caribbean islands still expressing interesting in being a part of the venture. This is due to our regional based marketing campaign which began at the beginning of the year.”
In keeping with the 2012 theme “Welcome to Sporting Paradise,” the tournament seeks to expose participants and spectators to the unique identity of Tobago's culture, entertainment and culinary masterpieces.
Fun for the each day is the game plan as organisers promise sports and entertainment with “picong” sessions from participants, music from disc jockeys, live commentary from sports personality James Saunders, a well stocked alcoholic bar and a festive food court featuring mouth watering Tobago dishes.
Registration for the event is US$500 (for a team of 25 players). Forms are available by emailing swtouringteam@gmail.com or on Facebook at SW Touring before the September 21 deadline.